Your 2-month-old: Week 3

How your baby's growing:

He's no Fred Astaire yet, but your little one's movements are getting a bit more coordinated. You'll notice that the jerky arm and leg movements of his newborn days have given way to smoother, more circular motions, especially when he's watching people.

Give your baby enough space to stretch and move his arms and legs. Lay a blanket on the floor and let him move as he pleases. These movements can help your baby strengthen and tone his developing muscles. On his tummy, he'll start to push off with his legs — the first step in getting ready to crawl.

Your life: Don't forget birth control!

Quick: If you're breastfeeding, can you get pregnant? What if you haven't had a period since giving birth?

The answers are yes and yes. Contrary to folk wisdom, breastfeeding itself isn't a contraceptive. And you'll begin to ovulate before you have a period, so you won't have any warning when your fertility has returned. That's why you need to use contraception as soon as you start having sex again – unless you wouldn't mind giving your newborn a sibling who's very close in age.

Your practitioner can help you understand all your options, but here are some considerations:

What contraception did you use before you got pregnant?You can't necessarily pick up where you left off. If you used a diaphragm, you'll need to get fitted again because you may need a different size after giving birth.

If you were on a hormonal form of birth control (the Pill, patch, or ring) before becoming pregnant and are now breastfeeding, you may need a different formulation, such as the progesterone-only minipill.

Do you want to try something new?If you're sure you won't want to get pregnant again in the next five to ten years, consider getting an IUD (intrauterine device).

Have you considered using condoms?Condoms can be a good choice for new moms because they don't affect breast milk – and they can be easier to remember than a once-a-day pill. Plus, condoms make contraception your partner's responsibility, too.

3 questions about: Calling your baby's doctor

How do I decide whether to mention symptoms to my baby's doctor?

You should feel comfortable calling the doctor's office anytime a gut feeling tells you to, day or night. Symptoms worth reporting in a young baby include worrisome changes in temperament, changes in appetite or an inability to keep food down, high fever, abnormally loose bowel movements, a dramatic drop in the number of wet diapers, a persistent rash, eye or ear drainage, and prolonged, unusual crying. Any of these could signal a serious illness, depending on their severity, duration, and accompanying symptoms. Always get immediate medical attention if your baby has trouble breathing or is having seizures.

When should I call a doctor about a fever?It's your decision. Your baby's overall behavior and the presence of additional symptoms are usually a better indicator of illness than an exact thermometer reading. Remember that fever is the body's way of fighting infection, so it's essentially a good thing, not an illness in itself. Body temperature also varies by time of day (lower in early morning, higher in late afternoon and evening). The American Academy of Pediatrics considers a fever to be a rectal reading of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or more, and many doctors would recommend a call if a baby this age has that high a fever. Because readings can vary depending on how you take the temperature (rectally, by ear, in the armpit, or on the forehead), tell your doctor the method you used when you report a fever. Also, make sure to let your doctor know if your baby had any fever-reducing medicine.

What information should I be prepared to give?When you need to call the doctor, stay calm and provide as thorough a description of the symptoms as you can. Tell when they began, how long they've lasted, and whether anything unusual has been taking place (such as teething or travel). Let the doctor know whether your baby has been around anyone sick recently. Take your baby's temperature before you call. Also mention whether your baby is on any medications, and remind the nurse or doctor you speak with if your baby has a medical condition. Because medical staffers see lots of children every day, they may not remember your individual child's history right off the bat.

This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Please review the Terms of Use before using this site. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use.

This site is published by BabyCenter, L.L.C., which is responsible for its contents as further described and qualified in the Terms of Use.